LOS ANGELES — Every April 15, around Major League Baseball (MLB), the legend Jackie Robinson is highlighted and celebrated for breaking baseball’s color barrier. However, Robinson is also praised culturally for his impact off the field.
Diversity within leadership roles remains a pressing issue, particularly regarding the representation of Black managers. Dave Roberts, one of the current three Black managers in the league for the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, recently spoke candidly about this concern, highlighting Jackie Robinson’s vision for the sport.
“Jackie [Robinson] always talked about having Black managers. He wanted to see Black managers in baseball,” Roberts told Nitecast Media.
Despite the sacrifices and trailblazing efforts of legends like Jackie Robinson and Frank Robinson, Roberts acknowledged the current state as disheartening.
“Frank Robinson was a friend of mine. And I was fortunate enough to hear Jackie’s stories. And so I think that he would be heartbroken to see that all the sacrifices that he made to see that we’re still here.“
Roberts underscored the importance of MLB providing more opportunities for Black managers, stressing the need for change and the readiness of qualified candidates.
“Well, it’s important to get the best qualified people. And I do believe that there are people of color that are very qualified to do this job,” he said. “That should land with everyone, whatever way you think, right? Because that’s qualified. But I think, to your question, there’s a lot of people of color that are qualified to do this job.“
As the MLB moves forward with programs that promote diversity, Roberts’ insights serve as a crucial reminder of the work that remains in creating a more inclusive and representative environment that reflects the sport’s diverse fabric and honors the legacy of those who paved the way.
Currently, they’re a total of three Black managers in MLB that include Ron Washington of the Los Angeles Angels, and Will Venable of the Chicago White Sox.
